• Claims agreements entered into by Fmr. Prez ‘unfavourable’ to SL

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP)-led People’s Struggle Alliance (PSA), known as Jana Aragala Sandhanaya, yesterday called upon the Government to release details of agreements reached between India and the previous administration under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Addressing a public gathering, PSA member Duminda Nagamuwa expressed concern, stating that these agreements could pose significant risks to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

Nagamuwa opined that the Wickremesinghe administration signed nine agreements with India that are ‘unfavourable’ for Sri Lanka. He highlighted one specific agreement that allegedly proposes land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India. “This agreement has the potential to threaten our national security,” Nagamuwa stated, emphasising that physical connectivity between the two nations could expose Sri Lanka to more security risks.

The leftist politician alleged that the agreements could also impact Sri Lanka’s natural resources, including valuable minerals. “The agreements signed by the previous Government would seriously affect our country’s natural resources such as cobalt,” he said, urging caution in proceeding with these arrangements. He expressed concerns that such agreements could lead to exploitation of local resources by foreign entities.

Nagamuwa called on the National People’s Power (NPP) Government to publish these agreements before the upcoming General Election, suggesting that transparency would allow the public to decide the fate of these deals. “It is good for the NPP as well. If the Indian Government pressures the NPP to proceed with these agreements, the Government can refer to their election manifesto and say that the people have rejected them,” he noted, underscoring that public opinion should guide decisions on these critical matters.

In July 2023, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and former President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe entered into an MOU which covers improving; maritime and air connectivity between the countries, improving power and energy connectivity, trade, economic and financial connectivity, and people to people connectivity.

Attempts made to contact Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Vijitha Herath proved futile.